Transmission control system and mechanism



Jan. 7, 1941.

D. F. LINSLEY ETAL TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND MECHANISM Filed July22, 1939 5 SheetsSheet l DOUGLAS f 1 lA/SL'Y.

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Jan. 7, 1941- D. F. LINSLEY ET AL 2,227,657

TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND MECHANISM Filed July 22, 1959 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 7, 1941. D F. LINSLEY ETAL TRANSMISSION CONTROLSYSTEM AND.MECHANISM Filed July 22, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet Yam :FE fiauaum'LnvsLEK Haney L. CHIJHOLN, di e.

Jan. 7, 1941. D. F. LINSLEY ETAL TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM ANDMECHANISM Filed July 22, 1939 5 sheets sheet 4 f/meer L Gaza/01., J9

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D. F. LINSLEY EI'AL ,227,657

- TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND MECHANISM Filed July 22, 1939 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 7, 1941.

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Patented Jan, '7, 1941 PATIENT OFFICE 2.221.651 TRANSMISSION coN'mor.SYSTEM AND mzcnmsu Douglas 1*. Linsley and an, L. osmium, In,

Buffalo, N. Y.,

assignors to Honda Engineering Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application July 22, 1939, Serial N0. 285,918 6Claims. (cr 74-334).

. This invention relates to transmission control in automotive vehiclesand particularly to that type of control in which selection for desiredtransmission speed is eflected by a hand lever .5 preferably locatedadjacentto the steering wheel, and the shifting of the selectedtransmission gearing is effected by power means in which the powermedium is preferably the vacuum generated in .the engine intakemanifold. l

10. In our improved system, a main valve for the .vacuum supply iscontrolled by operation of the .clutch pedal, and an important objectof, the

invention is to provide a cut-off valve for controlling the connectionof the power cylinder 15 with the vacuum supply from the main valve.

A further important object is to provide means.

such as a diaphragm structure, for operating the cut-off valve, and anauxiliary valve for ,con-

trolling the application of vacuum to and the 20 venting of thediaphragm structure and with the auxiliary valve operable in synchronismwith the speed selection means in the transmission housing operable bythe selection lever at'the steering wheel.

1 A'further important object is the provision of a reversing valvecontrolled by the movements of the out-off valve and the piston in thepower cylinder in' such manner that, at theend of the power pistonmovement for neutralizing the transmission gearing, the reversing valvewill be set to reverse the vacuum flow to the power cylinder formovement of the power piston for shift of selected gearing. and thereversing valve will be shifted back to normal position when the cut- 35of! valve is closed.

Another important object is to provide construction and" operation forthe auxiliary valve so that its operation synchronously with the settingof the gear selecting means by the hand lever 40 at the steering wheelmay so control the opera-- tion of the cut-off valve by the diaphragmstructure that there can be no vacuum supply to the power cylinder untilsetting for speed selection is fully completed.

45 In addition to the above enumerated features. the invention embodiesvarious other important features of construction, arrangement andoperation. 4

The various features of the invention are incorporated in the structureshown on the drawings,'in which'drawings:

'Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of our improved control showing thevarious cooperating structures and the interconnections; 55 Figure 2 isa plan view showing a transmission housing with the cover removed andshowing also the power cylinder, the cut-off and reversing I valvestructure, and the auxiliary valve structure;

Figure 3 is a diametral section through the cutoff and reversing valvestructure and part of the 5 power cylinder;

Figure 4 is a view on plane IV-IV Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the auxiliary valve structure withthe valve housing in. diamet'ral section;

Figure 6 is a'section on plane VI-VI Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the clutch operated valve; V Y

Figure 8 is a section on plane VIII-VIII Figure 7; Y

Figure 9 is a diagram-showing signal circuit arrangement for indicatingvarious conditions of operationof the control system.

Referring to the layout shown on Figure l, ,T

represents the transmission housing within which are the gear selectionand gear shifting assemblies. P indicates the power cylinder for effecting the shifting operation. R indicates the cutoff and reversing valvestructure for controlling the application of the power medium, in thiscase the vacuum generated by the vehicle engine, to the power cylinderP. v V indicates the valve structure controlled by operation of theclutch pedal C for controlling the supply of vacuum. M indicates acontrol lever adjacent the steering wheel of the vehicle for selectingthe desired transmission speed ratio. S indicates a selector rackcooperating with means withinthe transmission casing T for setting theselection assembly for the desired speed ratio. U represents the.auxiliary valve for control of the application of vacuum or atmosphereto the cut-off valve in the structure R, the valve U and the selectorrack S being conjointly actuated upon manipulation of the selectionlever M. W represents .a reservoir for vacuum power supply.

The gear selection and shifting assembly within the transmission housingTmay be of any suitable type. As shown on' Figure 2, it is substantiallythe same as that disclosed in the 00- pending application of Peo,Chisholm and Linsley, Serial No. 215,776, filed June 25, 1938. Brieflydescribing this selectionvand shift assembly, itcomprises the shifterrods i0 and II carryingv the heads I! and I! from which extend theshifter forks (not shown). The selector elements I4 and I! are mountedon a tubular shaft l6 journaled at one end on a fixed pin ll and at itsother end having the pin it secured thereto and extending therefrom. Asfully described in the Linsley referred to, the selector elements arerotatable on the tube l6 for selection of a desired speed ratio, and areaxially shiftable on the shaft for neutralization of the transmissiongearing and shift thereof for the selected speed ratio, the selectorelements having the selector notches I9 for receiving the couplingplungers 29 housed in the fork heads I2 and I3. The selector elementbodies have respectively circumferentially extending channels 2| and 22for receiving pins 23 and 24 extending from the gear sectors 25 and 29pivoted on the transmission housing, the sector 29 being engaged by acrankshaft 21 extending laterally from the transmission housing and atits outer end provided with a .lever 29 connected with the rod 29extending from the piston 99 within the power cylinder P. Normally thepiston is at the rear end of the cylinder and the selector elements areseparated as shown on Figure 2, a forward stroke of the piston causingthe selector elements to be brought together and the fork heads returnedto neutral and a selector notch I9 brought into alignment to receive thecorresponding coupling plunger 29, and the rearward stroke of the pistoncausing the selector elements to be shifted a rt and the coupled forkhead carried therewith for shift into the selectedgear ratio.

For rotational setting of the selector elements for gear selection, theselector rack S meshes a gear sector 9| secured on the pin I9 which isfastened to the tubular shaft I9 As best shown on Figure l, the selectorrack is connected by a link 92 with one end of a bell cranklever 99pivoted on a bracket. 94 extending from the transmission housing. theotherend of the lever being connected by the rod 95 to an arm99pxtendingfrom the lower end of the shaft 91 at the upper end of whichis secured the manuallyoperable selection lever M adjacent to thesteering wheel. 3 f I 1 The clutch pedal operable valve V is shown onFigures '7 and-8. It comprises a substantially V- shaped body-99 at theapex of which is journaled the shaft 99 from which the valve arm 49extends, the shaft 99 at its-outer end having secured thereto theoperating lever 4| which, as

shown on Figure 1, is in the path of an adjustable abutment post 42 onan arm 49 extending from the shaft 44 on which the clutch lever C ismounted.

The detachable cover 45 for the valve body provides the valve chamber 49having the seat 41 whose curvature is centered at the axis of the shaft39, the seat being engaged by'the valve shoe 49 movable with the arm 49.As shown the end of the arm extends into the recess 49 of the valveshoe, the spring 59 within the arm tending to yieldably hold the valveto its seat as the arm.

is swung. I

The valve body has the tubular extension 99' for accommodating a springfor normally holding As shown arod structure 52 extends through theextension from the valve arm against a stop 5|.

the head thereof to form a seat for the inner end of a compressionspring 59 which at its outer end abuts the hook ends 54 of a hairpinframe whose bend receives a pin 55 extending between cars 59 on thevalve arm 49, the spring thus yieldlngly holding the valve arm normallyagainst the stop The valve shoe has the rectangular port 51 forcooperating with the rectangular ports 59 and 59 in the cap 45 andterminating at the surface 41 2,227,657 co-pending application of Peo,Chisholm and along which the valve shoe operates. The port 59 leads to abore 99 with which a pipe 9| communicates, and the port 59 leads toavbore 92 with which a pipe 93 communicates. As shown on Figure l, thepipe 9| to the valve V extends from the reservoir W which is connectedwith the intake manifold 94 ofthe vehicle engine 95. The pipe 93.extends to the cut-oil and reverse valve structure R. Referring ,toFigure '7, the valve body 39 has air inlets 69 so that the interior ofthe housing is I normally subjected to atmospheric pressure, and toguard against dust or dirt entering with the air, the valve body has anenlargement 91 forming a filter chamber for filtering material 99 inadvance of the inlets 99.

In the normal position of the valve shoe with registers withthe vacuumport 59, the heel of the valveshoe partially overlapping the port 59 sothat air may flow through the pipe 93 for venting of chambers previouslysubjected to vacuum. When the valve arm 49 is swung away from its normalposition, the valve shoe will shut off the port 59 from atmosphere andthe valve port 51 will span the ports 59 "and 59 for delivery of vvacuum from the pipe 9| to the pipe 93 and to the various controlelements to be operated. As soon as the valve'is returned to its normalsetting, these elements will be vented to atmosphere. .On Figure 7 thefull lines show the valve in normal position and the dotted lines showit in its position for spanning the ports 59 and 59. Referring to Figure1, the abutment post 42 is so set that upon depression of the clutchpedal C, the arm 4| will not be actuated for valve movement untilthe'clutch has been fully disengaged.

The cut-off and reversing valve structure is best shown on Figures '3and 4. The structure comprises a body 99 having the outer longitudinalbore I9, and the inner bore II concentric with the bore I9 but ofsomewhat larger diameter. Operable within the bore I9 is the cut-offvalve I2 secured on a stem I9 which extends through the bore I9 and intothe 'bore 1|. Communicating with the bore or valve chamber "is the portI4 with which connects the pipe 99 extended from the clutch operatedvalve V. The bore or valve chamber 19 also communicates with a pipe I5extending therefrom opposite the port I4. The valve I2 has acircumferentially extending port I9 for connecting the pipe I5 with theport I4 when the valve is shifted outwardly from its normal position. Atits outer end, the valve body 99' has a flaring extension 'II covered bya cap I9, a diaphragm I9 being interposed between the extension and thecap to form inner and outer chambers 99 and 9|, the stem I9 01' the'valve I2 being secured at its outer end to the diaphragm. A pipe 92extends from the outer chamber 8| for the application of vacuum oratmosphere in the chamber. A spring 99 nested in the outer end of thevalve and abutting the body 69 at its outer end tends to hold the valvein its normal or inner position with the valve port I9 displaced fromthe port I4, the 'valve chamber I9 communicating with the innerdiaphragm chamber 99 through the passage 94. Upon the application ofvacirum in the outer diaphragm chamber 9|, the valve will be shiftedoutwardly for connection by its port I9 oi the pipe 99 with the pipe 15.

I .The bore 1 I- forms a chamber for the reversing valve 95,- this valvebeing cylindrical and having the circumferentially extending port. 99interthe arm 49 against the stop 5|, the valve port 51 a ,g 2,227,:357.mediate its ends. At one side of the valvechamachamber 89 with the valvechamber II at the inner side of the valve 85, and a port 94 connects thechamber 90 withthe valve port 88 when the valve is in its normalposition as shown in Figure 3.

The valve body 69 is supported by a bracket or wall 95 extendingradially from the outer head 98 of the power cylinder P, the valve bodybeing detachably secured as by means of screws 97!. In the outer side ofthe wall 95 is an arcuate channel 98 communicating at one end with thechamber 90 and at its other end with a passage 99 through the cylinderhead 96 and to the forward end of the cylinder. The wall 95 has also thepassageway I00 therethrough registering'at its outer end with thepassageway IOI extending through the enlargement 81 and terminating inthe chamber 89, the outer end of the passageway I00 communicating with apipe I02, this pipe leading to the rear end of the power cylinder behindthe piston 30.

Between the wall 95 and the valve chamber III, the valve body 69 has thechamber I03 into which extends the stem I04 of the reversing valve 95.This chamber I03 is connected by a passageway I05 to receive air underatmospheric pressure. Another passageway I06 connects the inner end ofthe valve chamber II with the atmosphere, and the incoming air may becleaned by suitable filtering means (not shown). Through the reversingvalve 85 are longitudinally extendingpassageways I0I so that the chamberare always in communication.

The stem I3 for the cut-off valve has the bore- I08 through its innerend connected with the duterend of the valve chamber II by the port I08and connected by a port IIO with the valve chamber I0 outside of thevalve '12.

en the cut-off andreversing valve parts are in normal position as shownon Figure 3, the

stem I3 of the cut-off valve is forcedinwardly by the spring .3 to abutthe reversing valve 85 to hold the end of the stem I04 against the wall95,

the reversing valve in this position having its port88 spanning theports 91 and 94. If now vacuum is applied in the outer diaphragm chamber8|, the cut-off valve 12 will be shifted outwardly for connection by itsport Iii/of the vacuum pipe-B3 with the pipe 15 which communicates withthe port 9I, and the outer end of the power a cylinder will be subjectedto vacuum through "the chamber 90, the arcuate passageway 98,- and thepassageway 99, and the piston willbe shifted forwardly in the cylinderfor bringing-the selector elements I4 and I5 in the transmission housing together and to bring the shifter forks to neutral position readyfor a shift of the selected ,gearing. An important object of ourinvention is to provide means, automatically operated during the flnalforward movement of the pistonin thepower cylinder, for quickly shiftingthe re-,

the shifting of the selected transmission gearing. Referring to Figure3, this valve shifting means is in the form of a plunger assemblycomprising a cylindrical shifter bar I which is shiftable in thepassageway H2 in the cylinder head 96 to project into the chamber- I03where it is connected by a tie bar II3 with the end of the stem I04 onthe reversing valve 85. The bar has the bore II for a plunger II5, fromwhich a pin II6 extends out through the inner end of the final outwardmovement of the piston in the power cylinder, the piston will firstengage with the pin H8 and will force'the plunger I I5 inwardly againstthe resistance of the spring III and thenwhen the piston, during itsfinal outward travel, engages the shift bar III, it will release the barfrom the detent ball H8, and the spring III will then quickly shift andsnap the bar'- inwardly. for snap shift of the reversing valve 85 intoits outer position, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3. In thisoutwardly shifted position of thelreversing valve, its port 85 will spanthe port 92 and the port 93 so that the outer end of" the cylinder willbe subjected to vacuum through the passageway IOI in the valve body 69,the passageway I00 in the wall 95, and then the pipe I02 connecting withthe rear end of the cylinder. Thus, after an outward movement of thepiston for neutralizing the gears and connection of the respectiveselector elements with the fork head of the selected gear, the pistonitself will set the reversing valve for flow of vacuum for returning thepiston to its inner position for shift of the selected gear. In orderthat complete and effective neutralization maybe effected beforeshifting, the shifter bar III is provided with a second channel II9 tobe en'- gaged by the detent ball II8 when the bar has been shiftedoutwardly for shifting of the reversing valve.

A neutralization followed by a shifting by the power cylinder occurswhile the outer diaphragm ing lever M (Figure 1) is shifted fromone-index setting to another, and when the diaphragm is thus releasedfrom vacuum, the spring 83 will shift the cut-off valve I2 back to itsnormal position, and in such movement of the valve, its stem 13 willencounter the reversing valve and will shift. this valve back to itsnormal position, the cut-off valve during its movement cutting off thevacuum pipe from the pipe I5. A spring I20 is. interposed between thereveising valve and the valve body 89 which spring is compressed whenthe reversing valve is shifted outwardly by the engagement of the powercylinder piston with the shift bar III, but the spring pressed detentball II8 engaging in the channel 9' in the shift bar when it is shiftedout will hold the reversing valve inits shifted position against theefforts of the spring I 20. However, when the spring 83 shifts thecut-off valve 12. and its stem 13 back to the normal positionand'carries therewith the reversing valve, the detent-channel I I9 ofthe shift bar III will be released from the detent ball II! and then thespring I20 will quickly 7;

snap the reversing valve back to its normal position and restore theshift bar III. to its innerposition ready for the next engagementtherewith by the power cylinder piston. When the selection by the manuallever M' for succeeding speed is completed,-the outer diaphragm chamber8I will again be subjected to vacuum and the cut-off valve drawn out forconnection of the vacuum pipe 33 with the pipe 15 and the outer end ofthe cylinder will be subjected to vacuum for outward travel of thepiston and engagement of the piston with the shift bar III for settingof the reversin'gvalve for the application of vacuum to the inner end ofthe cylinder sothat neutralization of the gearing is quickly followed byshift of the selected gearing.

When the outer end of the power cylinder is subjected to vacuum, theinner end thereof is open to the atmosphere through the pipe I32 whichthen communicates through the passageway I3I and the port 33, with theinner end of the valve chamber II which is connected with atmosphere,through the atmospher inlet- I36. When the inner end of the power cy deris sub- Jected to vacuum, the outer end thereof is open to theatmosphere by way of the passageway ,33.

the chamber 33, port 34 and the chamber I33 which has the atmosphereinlet "3. ,The diaphragm I3 is also always free to move in response tovacuum as the diaphragm chamber 33 is always in communication throughthe valve stem bore I03 with the outer end of the valve chamber II whichhas the atmosphere inlet I33 The auxiliary valve structure .U is shownin detail in Figures 5 and 6. It comprises a tubular valve housing I2|supported in a collar I22-which may be secured to a bracket I23 (Figure2) extending from the transmission housing T, the

axis of the valve housing being parallel with that of the selector rackbar F on the trans-' mission housing. Shiftable within the valve housingis the cylindrical auxiliary valve I24 which at its outer end. has aneye I25 receiving the end of an arm I28'rigid with and extending.

from the inner end of the link 32 which connects the selector rack Swith the lever 33 (Figure 1). With this arrangement, the auxiliary valveshifts with and follows the movements of the selector rack S as themanual setting lever M is operated.

The purpose of this auxiliary valve is to operate coincidentally with.the setting, of the speed selector rack S to control the application ofvacuum to the diaphragm chamber 3| for opening of the cut-off valve I2,and the application of atmosphere to this diaphragm chamber forclosure-of the cut-off valve'when passing from The one selection indexposition to another. pipe 32 to the diaphragm chamber 8I- communicateswith the bore of the valve housing I2 I through a vacuum port I21 andthrough atmosphere ports I23 and I23. Referring to Figure 1, the pipeI30 extends from the vacuum supply pipe 63 and communicates with thevalvehousing bore througha port I3I.

Thevalve I24 has a number of circumferential channels or ports equallyspaced apart.. Referring to Figure 5, the valve has five such portsdesignated L, H, N, I, and B, the ports being for selectionrespectively, for low speed, high speed,

The

neutral, intermediate speed. and reverse. ports I21 and I3I in the valvehousingI2I are shown diametrically opposite, and the spacing between theatmosphere ports I23 and I23 in the valve housing is equal to thespacing between the valve ports. .The valve housing has two other portsI32 and I33 circumferentiaily displaced.

from the ports I23 and I 23 respectively but in circumferentialalignment therewith so as to communicate therewith when the valve I24 isshifted I for closure of the port I21 and registration of adjacent valveselection ports withthe ,ports I23 andI23. Referring to Figure 6, thevalve housing is cut away to provide arecess I34 con-- 'necting theports I32 and I33, and this recess communicates with an atmosphere inletI35 pro-,

clutch pedal 0 is now depressed, first to disengage the clutch and thento swing the valve arm H for opening of the valve V, the diaphragmchamber 3| will be subjected to vacuum through the pipe I33, ports I3I,N and. I21 of the auxiliary valve- U, and pipe 32. The cut-oil valve 12will then be shifted outwardly to open position so that a vacuum will betransmittedthrough the valve and through pipe 'I2 and the reversingvalve 35 to the forward end of the power piston, and a power cycle willresult as has already been described.

However, as the selector elements I4 and 15 are at neutral setting, thetransmission gearing will remain at neutral, and there will 'be no gearshifting. x

If setting of the manual lever M is made to another index position, theauxiliary va'lve I24- will be correspondingly shifted, and during suchshift from one index position to another, the ports I21 and I3I on theauxiliary valve will be closed and two of the valve ports will be inregistration .with the atmosphere ports I28 and I23 to subjectthe.diaphragm chamber 3-! to atmosphere for release of the cut-off valve andreturn thereof to closed position- When thenew index position isreached,this atmosphere path willbe closed and the vacuum ports I21 and I3Iagain put into communication so that when the clutch pedal is depressedfor opening of the valve'V,'

the cut-oil. valve I2 will be opened for application of vacuum to thepower cylinder for a cycle of gear neutralization and shift. Forexample, sup:

pose that low speed drive isdesired, the lever M is moved to'the lowspeed'index for setting of the selector rack S and the elements for thatspeed.

and the auxiliary valve I24 will be correspondingly set forcommunication of its L port with the ports I21, and I3I for delivery ofvacuum to the diaphragm and opening of the cut-ofl valve 12. During suchsetting movement from neutral to low speed before depression of theclutch pedal and opening of the valve V, the diaphragm-chamber 3| willbe twice vented to atmosphere and the cut-off valve will remain closed,but at the end of the setting for low speed and depression of the clutchpedal for opening of the valve V, the vacuum will first open the cut-offvalve and then vacuum will be communicated to the power cylinder for acycle of operation therebyto' shift,

to the selected speed.

It will be noted that the ports m and m are 3 in the form ofcircumferentially extending slots which arerather narrow butcomparativelylong and are therefore adapted for fast opening toeflectpositive diaphragm operation of the cut-off valvev for vacuum flowfor operation of the power cylinder. With the auxiliary valvearrangement shown, the vacuum supply ports are opened Just before thevalve reaches a new setting and then the vacuum eflect will be quicklytransmitted by the ports to the diaphragm for opening of the cut oifvalve. While the auxiliary valve is moving toward a new index setting,the atmosphere ports which are of large area permit quick venoing of thediaphragm chamber for quick'closure of the cut-off valve which thenremains closed until the vacuum ports are exposed by the auxiliary valveI24 during the final movement thereof. This will prevent operation ofthe power piston except when the index position of the auxiliary valvehas been reached and the operator desires the shift to occur. Thecut-ofl valve 12 is thus under direct control of the operator andfunctions to shut out the main vacuum supply to the power cylinder untiloperation of the power cylinder is desired.

Either pre-selection or post selection may be used. When pre-selecting,the auxiliary valve lit is set for operation by the setting lever M andthen when the clutch pedal is depressed for opening of the valve V,vacuum will open the cut-off valve l2 for vacuum supply to the powercylinder for shift to the selected speed.

When post selecting,'the clutch lever is depressed for opening of thevalve 'V, and then gear selection and setting of the auxiliary valve I24is made by the lever M for vacuum, flow to the diaphragm for opening'ofthe cut-off valve I2 and application of vacuum to the power cylinder.While the clutch is held and disengaged, selection for any speed may bemade and the power cylinder will operate. I

Referring to Figure l, the setting of the abutment 42 on the arm 43operated by depression of the clutch lever C is such that-the operatingarm H for the valve "48 (Figure 7) will not be actuated until the clutchpedal has been depressed a distance beyond its movement for completeclutch disengagement. It will therefore be impossible to shift gearsuntil the clutch is fully disengaged. It will also be noted that due tothe rectangular valve port 51 and therectangular ports 59 and 59, thevalve has a fast straight line opening for rapid application of vacuumfor. operation of the power cylinder as soon as the cut-off valve 12 isopened.

In the control system described, the operator may hold the clutch pedaldepressed and keep the valve V open, and then by manual lever M ciian'gethe speed setting from one speed to an- 0 her. ment from one indexposition to another may be at a normal rate without the diaphragm beingoperated quickly enough for the piston to start a shift cycle. Referringto Figures 5 and 6, a disk I38 is interposed between the vacuum pipe I99and the port ISI 01' the auxiliary valve, this disk being provided witha metering orifice I99 for retarding the application of vacuum to thediaphragm chamber 8| to retard theoperation of the diaphragmsufliciently to prevent occurrence of ashift cycle before the-desiredsetting is h d i J Referring to Figure 1, the vacuum supply pipe I90 tothe auxiliary valve is connected withthe vacuum supply line to thecut-offvalve, and

the supply of vacuum to the auxiliary valve is controlled by the clutchoperated valve V. When this valveis open, the supply line 99 is ventedto atmosphere through the body of the valve V.

Means are provided so that the move- 7 When ,the auxiliary valve I24 isinany neutral or speed setting, the-atmosphere vent: of said valve willbe closed and the diaphragm chamber will then be vented through thevalve V when this valve is closed.- However, 'during shift of theauxiliary valve from one index point to another, the diaphragm chamberwill be vented directly through the atmosphere ports of the I auxiliaryvalve. Therefore when-the auxiliary valve is in neutral or in any speedset position, the valve V may be openedand closed by operation of theclutch pedal for repeated shift cycles or the power cylinder.

In the case of abutment of gears, that is, if

, the power piston cylinder is unable to complete its shift movementafter the clutch pedal has clutch pedal may be released for closure ofthe valve V and venting of the valve and chamber been depressed foropening of the valve V, the

piston will start a new cycle for gear neutralization and shift, andregardless of whether or not the hand selector lever M has been moved.

Figure 9 shows a circuit, arrangement for indicating various conditionsfor assuring proper manipulation of the piston.

A switch comprising a switch blade I40 is mounted for movement by thepower cylinder piston and for cooperation with a contact I which isconnected with the ground. A suitable abutment I42 may be provided formovement withthe piston rod 29 which abutment engages the switch bladeI49 to disconnect it from the contact I4I when the piston is at theinner end of its stroke after a complete shift cycle, a spring I49tending to move the switch blade into en-'- gagement with the contact.The switch blade is connected by conductor I44 with the contact I45 of aswitch I49 which may be the ignition switch whose blade is connectedthrough a battery I41 with ground, the ignition circuit I49 extendingfrom the switch contact :I45. The conductor I44 includes a signal.device which may be a lamp I49.

For operation of the power cylinder, the operatorflrst depresses theclutch pedal C toetfect' complete disengagement of the clutch and thento open the valve V for vacuum supply to the power cylinder. As soonasthe power piston starts to move outwardly, the abutment I42 will bereleased from the switch blade m which will then engage the contact Ifor closure of the circuit which includes the signal lamp I49 it beingunderstood that the ignition switch I46 is closed before the system isoperated. So long as the lamp I49 is lit, the operator knows that thepower cylinder piston has not yet returned.

to its innermost position for full completion of the shift stroke and hedoes not therefore release the pedal C for clutch engagement. As soon asthe piston has completed its full inward travel,-

the switch "blade I49 will be disconnected from the contact I and thelamp I49 will go out, and the operator knows that it is then safe toengage the clutch.

For further precautlon, an additional signaling circuit may beprovidedin bridge of the signal lamp I49 and including a signal deviceI59 and a switch comprising a switch blade !5I and a contact I52, andthe signal I59 may be an audible signal such as a. buzzer. A rod I53extends upwardly from theend of an arm I54 on the clutch leversupporting shaft 44, and above the switch blade I5I the rod has anabutment blade I40 will be disconnected from the contact I55 which, whenthe clutch is engaged, holds the switch blade in engagement with itscontact I52, I55 indicating the spring whichtends to move the clutchlever to clutch engaging position. When the clutch lever is depressedfor clutch disengagement, the rod: I53 is raised and the switch bladewill be released from its contact I42 by the spring I51 and held againsta stop I58.

. When the operator closes the igmtion switch I46 for operation of thevehicle, and the power piston is at the end of a shift stroke, theswitch MI and there will be no current flow to either of the signalingdevices I49 and I50 and the operator then knows that it will be safe tode press the clutch pedal for opening of the valve V for supply ofvacuum to the power cylinder. However, should the power piston not befully in and the gear shift last made was incomplete, the switch springI and contact I will be in engagement and the lamp I49 will be lit andthe buzzer or other audible signal device I will sound, thus warning theoperator.

As explained before, the abutting gears or other conditions may haveprevented the power piston from fully completing the shift, and theoperator can then depress the clutch pedal for cylinder has startedoperating.

opening of the valve V and another cycle of operation of the powerpiston, and if the power cylinder then functions properly, the signalswill so indicate, and it will be safe for the operator to engage theclutch. It will be noted that, with the vacuum circuit arrangement shownby Figure 1, the main valve V controls the venting of the diaphragmchamber 8I and therefore the closing momentof the cut-off valve andresetting thereof of the reversing valve 85 to normal position, andtherefore the valve V may be closed andopened for operation cycle of thepower cyl-- inder until the power cylinder functions properly.

If, after the ignition switch is closed, the signals show the powercylinder in proper condition, he will depress the clutch pedal forunclutching, and opening of the valve V, and as soon as the powercylinder operates, the signal lamp I49 'will light to indicate that thepower Upon depression of the clutch pedal, the rod I52 will be raised torelease the switch blade I5I and to open the circuit to the audiblesignal I50, and should the operator attempt to engage the clutch beforethe power cylinder cycle has been fully'completed, the switch will beclosed by the downward movementof'the rod I53 and the signal I50 willsound to warn the operator and he will then depress the-clutch 'pedalfor reopening of the valve V and completion of the power cylinder cycle.

We have thus produced a comparatively simple yet very efiioient controlsystem for the transmission gearing in automotive vehicles. By means ofthe auxiliary valve operating in synchronism with the setting of theselection means at the transmission, the'operator has at all times fullcontrol of the cut-off valve which in turn controls the supply of vacuumto the power cylinder and in conjunction with'the power cylinder pistoncontrols the reversing valve. By means of the reversing valve and itssnap operation by the power cylinder piston movement, the power cylindershift operation automatically substantially immediately follows the gearsynchronization operation of the power cylinder. By the operatorscontrol of the application of vacuum or atmosphere at the diaphragmstructure which operates the cut-off valve, engagement of the clutchcannot result until the power cylinder has fully completed its shiftstroke for complete shifting of the gears to a selected speed. Shouldthe power cylinder at any time fail to fully com plete a shift, properoperating conditions canbe quickly restored withoutstrain or injury toany tions may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. An automotive vehicle transmission control system comprisinggearselection means and gear shifting means for the transmission gearingof the vehicle, setting means for manually setting said selection meansfor the desired transmission speed, a power cylinder operable by vacuumfrom the vehicle engine for actuating the gear shifting means, a vacuumsupply line, a mainvalve for controlling the connection of the enginevacuum with said supply line, a cutoff valve controlling the connectionof the supply line with the cylinder, a spring normally holding 'saidcut-off valve closed, a diaphragm structure connected with said cut-offvalve, an auxiliary valve operable in synchronism with the setting ofsaid selection means to connect said diaphragm structure with the supplyline when the'selection means is set to a gear selection point wherebysaid diaphragm structure will be effective to open said cut-off valve,and to vent said diaphragm structure to atmosphere while the selectionmeans is moving from one gear se-' lection point to another whereby saidspring may then close said cut-oil valve, a reversing valve between saidcut-oil valve and said cylinder normally positioned to direct vacuum toone end of the cylinder for movement of the cylinder piston toneutralize the transmission gearing, means actuated by the piston at theend of its neutralizing movement for shifting said reversing valve toapply vacuum to the other end of the cylinder for movement of the pistonto effect gear shift for the selected speed. and means controlled uponmovement of said cut-oil valve to closing position for resetting saidreversing valve to its normal position.

2. An automotive vehicle transmission control system comprising gearselection means and gear I ting of the selection means for controllingthe movement of said cut-off valve for application of vacuum from thesupply line to the power cylinder, operation of said power cylinder inone direction causing neutralization of the .transmission gears and whenoperated in the reverse .direction causing shifting into gear of theselected gears, a reversing valve between said cutoff valve and thepower cylinder normally positioned for flow of vacuum to the powercylinder for a gear neutralizing operation thereof, and

means operated by the power cylinder at'the end of its neutralizingoperation for setting said reversing valve for flow of vacuum forcausing system coinprising gear selection means and gear v n 1 9,227,957reverse operation of the power cylinder for shift oi-the selectedlgearing into gear. i

3. An automotive vehicle transmission control shifting means for thevehicle transmission gearing, a power cylinder for. actuating theshifting means,"a vacuum supply line, a main valve controlled byoperation of the vehicle clutch pedal for connecting said supply linewith a source of vacuum, a cut-ofivalve tor controlling the connectionof thesupply line with said power cylin-' der, a vacuum operable devicefor controlling the opening and closing of said cut-oil valve, a mantingofthe selection meansior the desired speed;

ually operable speed selection lever remote from the vehicletransmission, a setting member atthe transmission operable by said leverfor set- I and an auxiliary valve operable by said lever insynchronismwith said setting member. for supplying vacuum to said vacuumoperated device for operation thereof to open said cut-oil! valve forapplication of vacuum tothe power cylinder synchronously with thesetting of the selection means at any speed setting or at neutral andfor operation of said device to close said cut-oil valve during passageof the selection'means from one speed setting to another. n

4. Anautomotive vehicle transmission control system comprisinggearselection means and gear shifting means for the vehicle transmissiongearing, a power cylinder for actuating the shiiting means, a vacuumsupply line, a main valve controllingthe connection of .said supply linewith a vacuum 'source, a cut-oi! valve controlling the connection oisaidsupply line with the power cylinder, a reversing. valve, a deviceconnected with said cut-oil valve and operable by vacuum to open saidvalve for application of vacuum through the reversing valve to the powercylinder, 4

said reversing; valve being normally in position for application ofvacuum to the power cylinder for operation of the power cylinder forgear neutraliration, means operable by the movement of the powercylinder piston at the end of its gear neutralization'movement forsetting said reversing valve for application of vacuum to the powercylinder for operation thereoi. to shift the selected gearing into gear,an auxiliary valve op erabie insynchronism with the selection means tocontrolthe application. of vacuum to said; f

vacuum operable device for opening oiithe cutoi! valve and for ventingsaid device, and means eiiectivewhen said device is vented for resetting5 said cut-0H valve to closed position and for-re? setting thereversing. valve to its normal position.

v 5. An automotive v'ehicle'transmission control system comprising apower cylinder tor-shitting selected gearing, a powerv medium supplyline, a 1

" supply 'valve for connecting the supply line with said power cylinder,a reversing valve between ,said supply" valve and the power cylinder andnormally set for application of the power medium to the power cylinderfor operation of the .power cylinder toeilect gear neutralization, meanssotuated at the end of the power cylinder neu- 'tralization operationfor setting said reversing valve for application of the power medium tothe cylinder ior shifting operation thereby of go said power cylinderfor controlling the direction" I of flow of said power medium'into thepowert cylinder when said supply valve is open, said reversing valvebeing normally set for flow of u the medium to the power cylinder foroperation oi the power cylinder to eflect neutralization of thetransmission gearing, means operated bythe power'cylinder piston at theend of a neutralizing 4 operation for sna pins said reversing valve intoposition to reverse the iiow of the medium into 7 the power cylinder foroperation of the power cylinder to shift selected gearing into 'gear,- an'd means controlled by the closing movement, of said simply valve forresetting said reversing valve to normal position. j 4

DOUGLAS F. HNSLEY. HARRY L. GHISHOLM, Ja.'

